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THE GOLDEN STOCK OF DIVAS PER SE AND THE NEW GENERATION OF JAZZ SINGERS Myrna Hughes, London Correspondent.
How would do you define an authentic jazz singer, a cabaret diva or a femme fatale, nowadays? Simple folks! Read the new book Entertainment, divas, cabaret, jazz, then and now by Maximillien de Lafayette. What a coincidence! He is also the editor-in-chief of this magazine. Would it be self-serving to write a review about a book written by your boss? Not really, if the book is meaningful and well-written. Then, let's see what there is in the bag. To set the record straight, I will not attempt to review the book. So what am I doing here? Well, let's say -for now- I am visiting with the stars who were written up in Mr. de Lafayette's massive volume. Anatomy of the book: It is overwhelming. Lots of inquisitive articles. Tons of stars of all calibers, famous and infamous, talented and less so, chronological history of American music, European Cabaret, chats with chanteuses and legends, and of course glowing portraiture of icons and mega stars.
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Historical and academic value: Plenty. It is an encyclopedia. A world of knowledge and impressive wealth of information. Mr. de Lafayette began his book with an analysis and historical survey of the origin of American music and the very first "songs book" written by the pilgrims before and during the colonial era. Additional chapters provided important clues on the slaves' underground music, Spirituals, early gospel music and the birth of Jazz and Blues in America. And to wrap it up, Mr. de Lafayette added a chapter on the contributions of the pioneers of American Standards at the turn of the century, and here and there, juicy stories about the leading stars of 1930' follies, the Ziegfeld Girls and early Broadway' musicals. SOME OF THE BIG NAMES IN THE BOOK: Lynn DiMenna, Barbara Fasano, Karrin Allyson, Claire Martin, Alison England, Helen Baldassare, Betty Buckley, Barbara Cook, Janice Borla, Linda Ciofalo, Jamie deRoy, Robert Osborne, Maye Cavallaro, Charles Cermele, Ann Hampton Callaway, Chick Corea, Blossom Dearie, Susan Egan, Amanda McBroom, etc.
ARTISTS WORTH MENTIONING: Lafayette said expect to hear and read a lot about these wonderful artists: Candace Evans, Lisa Clark, Cynthia Bassinet, Debbie Duncan, Ellen Johnson, Pamela Luss, Karmyn Tyler (she is terrific), Lori Derr, Lizabeth Flood, Ondine Darcyl, Carol Mennie, Continues on P. 138
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Las
Vegas stunning star Toni Morrell.
Vocalist
Candace Evans.